Kalen DeBoer’s second season at Alabama is already under scrutiny. With the Crimson Tide coming off a 9-4 campaign in 2024, the program’s first season without double-digit wins since 2007, saying the pressure to return to championship form is immense will be an understatement.
Meanwhile, Tennessee’s Josh Heupel is earning national attention for his quarterback pipeline, spawning bold predictions that the Volunteers could outshine Alabama over the next three years.
Clay Travis’ Bold Prediction That Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama Can Be Outshone By Vols
On the Next Round Podcast, analyst Clay Travis, a vocal Tennessee supporter, didn’t hold back with his predictions. When asked to bet on who would have more wins between 2025 and 2027: Heupel or DeBoer, Travis confidently picked the Vols. “I feel very good about the Tennessee quarterback situation,” he said, pointing towards the Vols’ recruiting success.
Who has more wins over the next 3 years: Kalen DeBoer or Josh Heupel? @TheLanceTaylor 💵 @ClayTravis pic.twitter.com/GLwIOLUMwW
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) June 3, 2025
Tennessee has secured the nation’s No. 1 quarterback prospect for 2026, set to enroll in December, alongside other four- and five-star talents who could start soon. Travis noted the shrinking talent gap between the two programs, saying, “There is not some massive difference in overall talent between Tennessee and Alabama like there has been in the past.”
He even agreed to a $1,000 wager, projecting Tennessee to outpace Alabama’s win total over the next three seasons.
Tennessee’s quarterback situation has become a hot topic for both program fans and experts. After Nico Iamaleava’s departure following a playoff run in 2024, the Vols will transition to Joey Aguilar in 2025.
But the real excitement lies in their future. Heupel’s staff has locked in a top-rated 2026 quarterback and boasts young four- and five-star prospects ready to compete. This pipeline has bolstered Tennessee’s recruiting, with their 2025 class ranked No. 6 and featuring 15 blue-chip players. Travis pointed out the Vols’ recent edge in the rivalry, having won two of the last three matchups against Alabama, including a 2022 upset in Knoxville.
Meanwhile, Alabama faces uncertainty at the quarterback position. Jalen Milroe, who led the Tide in 2024, is now in the NFL, leaving Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and five-star freshman Keelon Russell in a heated battle to replace him.
KEEP READING: Insider Warns Kalen DeBoer, Florida State Opener Will Reveal Alabama’s 2025 Ceiling
DeBoer, speaking on the Always College Football podcast, highlighted the need for a leader who can “move the locker room,” not just the chains.
While Simpson has shown progress, DeBoer plans to name a starter just a week-and-a-half before the August 30 opener against Florida State. Alabama’s 2025 schedule is brutal, with road games against Georgia, Tennessee, and LSU. With a 9-3 record again, DeBoer could be “reviled” by fans if it means missing the playoffs for a second straight year.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball!
